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56 B.C.]

in this first assault, the Nobles would probably attack the grant of a province to Cæsar by the law of Vatinius. Domitius Ahenobarbus, whose candidature for next year's consulship seemed certain of success, openly declared his intention to propose Cæsar's recall. If then Cæsar held his hand and allowed things to drift, they were likely to drift towards civil war, and for civil war he was not yet ready. Even at this moment news had arrived of fresh trouble in Gaul. The maritime people of the Veneti on the shores of the Bay of Biscay had massacred his commissariat officers and had risen in arms. He must have time to complete and consolidate his conquests, and to obtain tithe he was willing to pay a heavy price. Considerations, other than those of ambition and expediency doubtless co-operated in making him anxious to find terms of agreement. "It is probable," as Mommsen remarks, "that Cæsar hesitated to break the heart of his beloved daughter, who was sincerely attached to her husband; in his soul there was room for much besides the statesman."

The conference was adjourned to Luca, the southernmost point in Cæsar's dominion, and thither Pompey was invited to come to meet his confederates. This must have been about the middle of April. The assembly of these great potentates was like a congress of sovereign princes. Cæsar was attended by a great retinue of his officers. Roman politicians and place-hunters flocked to Luca, and provincial governors found the little town on the way to or from